Wicklow Round
Long distance hill running challenge in Ireland
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The Wicklow Round is a long-distance hill running challenge in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland.[1] The route follows a prescribed 100-kilometre circuit of 26 mountains, which must be completed in a fixed order, that total over 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) of elevation; there is some flexibility on route-choices between peaks.[2] Rounds completed outside of a cut-off time of 24-hours are not generally recorded.[1][3] Irish ultra-runner Joe Lalor is credited with the creation of the Round.[4][5]
depending on actual route
| Wicklow Round | |
|---|---|
Lugnaquilla, highest peak on the Round at 925 metres (3,035 ft); highest mountain in Leinster. | |
| Length | 100 kilometres (62 mi) depending on actual route |
| Location | Wicklow Mountains, Ireland |
| Established | 2008 |
| Trailheads | Fetherbed Track Junction |
| Use | Hiking, Fell running |
| Elevation change | circa 6,000 metres (19,685 ft) depending on actual route |
| Highest point | Lugnaquilla at 925 metres (3,035 ft) |
| Lowest point | Drumgroff at 50 metres (164 ft) |
| Season | All year round |
| Hazards | sinkholes amongst heather |
| Surface | bogland, moorland, sheep paths, roads |
| Website | IMRA |
The first person to complete the Round was Moire O’Sullivan, in a time of 22:58:30 on 29 May 2008; O'Sullivan went on to write a book about her experience on the Round called Mud, Sweat, and Tears.[6][7][8] Eoin Keith set a new record of 17:53:45 on 30 May 2009, which stood for nine years until it was beaten by U.S. runner, and Appalachian Trail record holder, Joe McConaughy, in a time of 17:09:44 on 6 May 2018.[2][9] Several other runners have set records for the fastest Round.[1][4] Between April and May 2019, the men's record was broken across three consecutive attempts, by Paddy O'Leary, Shane Lynch and Gavin Byrne. These attempts were featured in the short documentary film, "Coming Home - Ag Teacht Abhaile".
As of July 2019[update], the record is 15:04:30, set by Irish IAU Trail World Championships contestant, Gavin Byrne on 18 May 2019.[10]
Route
The 26 mountains of the Wicklow Round must be completed in the order as outlined below, as well as the check-point in the forest of Drumgoff.[11]
| Sequence | Goal (peak or check-point) |
|---|---|
| Start | Military Road – Featherbed Track junction |
| 1 | Kippure |
| 2 | Carrigvore |
| 3 | Gravale |
| 4 | Duff Hill |
| 5 | Mullaghcleevaun East Top |
| 6 | Mullaghcleevaun |
| 7 | Moanbane |
| 8 | Silsean |
| 9 | Oakwood |
| 10 | Table Mountain |
| 11 | Camenabologue |
| 12 | Lugnaquilla |
| 13 | Corrigasleggaun |
| 14 | Carrawaystick Mountain |
| Check-point | Drumgoff |
| 15 | Mullacor |
| 16 | Derrybawn |
| 17 | Camaderry |
| 18 | Tonelagee |
| 19 | Scarr |
| 20 | Knocknacloghoge |
| 21 | Luggala |
| 22 | Djouce |
| 23 | War Hill |
| 24 | Tonduff (also called Tonduff North) |
| 25 | Prince William's Seat |
| 26 | Knocknagun |
| End | Military Road – Featherbed Track junction |
Completions
The Irish Mountain Running Association (IMRA) record the following sub-24 hour completions of the Wicklow Round:[11]
| Name | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Moire O Sullivan | 29 May 2009 | 22:58:30[9][6][10] |
| Eoin Keith | 30 May 2009 | 17:53:45[2][9][10][4] |
| Paul Mahon | 5 June 2009 | 19:39:25 |
| Paul Nolan | 5 June 2009 | 19:39:25 |
| Jason Reid | 5 June 2009 | 19:39:25 |
| Adrian Tucker | 25 June 2009 | 22:18:45 |
| Greg Byrne | 2 June 2012 | 20:56:00 |
| Billy Reed | 2 June 2012 | 20:56:00 |
| Finbar McGurren | 2 June 2012 | 20:56:00 |
| Richard Nunan | 8 June 2013 | 21:57:02 |
| Jeff Fitzsimons | 8 June 2013 | 21:57:02 |
| Zoran Skrba | 8 June 2013 | 21:57:02 |
| Gareth Little | 9 June 2013 | 23:39:36 |
| Laurence Colleran | 30 May 2015 | 20:45:00 |
| Liam Vines | 30 May 2015 | 20:45:00 |
| Paul Morrissey | 14 June 2015 | 23:47:32 |
| Andreas Kusch | 14 June 2015 | 23:47:32 |
| Pol O'Murchu | 21 June 2015 | 23:25:03 |
| Mike Jordan | 4 July 2015 | 23:21:00 |
| Sam Scriven | 4 July 2015 | 23:21:00 |
| Brian O'Meara | 4 July 2015 | 23:21:00 |
| Kevin Shannon | 4 August 2015 | 21:59:36 |
| Mark Shannon | 4 August 2015 | 21:59:36 |
| Paul O'Callaghan | 28 May 2016 | 21:25:00 |
| Adrian Hennessy | 6 June 2016 | 19:36:00 |
| John Ryan Preston | 19 June 2016 | 21:06:00 |
| Liam Vines | 11 December 2016 | 22:56:00 |
| Karina Jonina | 6 May 2017 | 22:37:43[4] |
| Joseph McConaughy | 6 May 2018 | 17:09:44[2][9] |
| Paul Keville | 23 June 2018 | 22:59:00 |
| Warren Swords | 22 July 2018 | 23:13:45 |
| Brian Kitson | 22 July 2018 | 23:13:45 |
| Paul O'Callaghan | 21 December 2018 | 23:38:00 |
| Paddy O'Leary | 13 April 2019 | 16:27:20[1][10][4] |
| Shane Lynch | 21 April 2019 | 16:23:32[1][10] |
| Gavin Byrne | 18 May 2019 | 15:04:30[10] |
| John Murray | 2 June 2019 | 22:05:23 |
| John Murray | 3 August 2019 | 23:41:08 |
| Daniela Lubiscakova | 24 July 2020 | 23:14:26 |
| Philip O'Connell | 24 July 2020 | 23:14:26 |
Books & Films & Podcasts
- Moire O'Sullivan (July 2011). Mud, Sweat and Tears: An Irish Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery Paperback. ISBN 978-0615505152.
- Dooster Film (July 2019). Coming Home - Ag Teacht Abhaile. Award-winning documentary film.
- Running Gingerly Podcast: The Wicklow Round - Irelands great unsung mountain round